personal injury

Snow and ice is everywhere. So now is the time to think about ‎how to avoid slip and fall accidents, and what to do if you become a slip and fall accident victim.

If you own a home, a business, construction site, or even a vacant plot of land, YOU may be responsible for clearing all the snow and ice from any abutting sidewalk, parking lot, or walkway, even if you don’t reside there, or never even visit. It may still be your duty under the local laws of the city/town/village where the property is located (if you don’t know, you should find out, immediately). [Read more…] about Watch Out! Slip and Fall Season Is Officially Here

The laws governing construction accidents in New York are unique. In fact, unlike many other states, the laws here are overwhelmingly favorable to the safety of the construction worker – especially when it comes to accidents involving falls. In New York, if a construction worker falls from a ladder or scaffold, the owner of the site, as well as any of the owner’s general contractors, or agents, are 100% responsible for the accident, even if they were not there when it happened, and even if the worker’s own negligence was one of the causes of the fall. There are of course exceptions for 1-2 family home owners, as well as an exception if the fall is only caused by the worker’s own negligence (which is rather difficult to prove). Even as an attorney who represents the injured, I have to admit that on the surface this seems a little one-sided. But let’s take a quick, closer examination of what I believe to be behind this – the “why”.

As a personal injury lawyer, one of the first questions I get from a new client is, “How long is this going to take?” The only honest answer that I, or any other lawyer, can give is, “I don’t know.” And the reason for that is a little complicated, but in this brief writing I will try to simplify it.

Every case is unique. No two accidents are exactly the same, and no two injuries are exactly alike. Some cases have only a small amount of available insurance coverage, and others have way more than needed. Some cases require a lawsuit, or even a trial, while others can be resolved by just sending a claim letter and medical records. Some insurance companies or individual claim representatives like to settle early, but others like to defend to the end. Fair and reasonable compensation for one client may be very different for another. I think you see where I am going with this – the moral of the story is: Just because your cousin’s friend’s case settled in six months, does not mean that your similar case won’t take four years.

As a Personal Injury Attorney I get calls every day from potential clients injured in slip/trip and fall accidents. Many calls come around holiday times (when you have a lot of guests), and/or when there is snow or ice on the ground. To help limit the liability on your property, read these quick and easy tips:

Look Around – You need to actually take the time to walk around inside and outside your home, and look for anything that seems dangerous, or could constitute a “tripping hazard”. Under NY law, even a small defective condition could nevertheless be a tripping hazard that requires repair. Look for loose or broken steps and handrails, broken or cracked walkways, any change in elevation in a walking area (anywhere a toe could get snagged), areas that constantly drip or leak (and could freeze when the sun goes down), and for objects, even toys, which obstruct common paths.

Holidays are a time when we feel pulled in ten different directions at once. We are always late. And we are always stressed. As a Personal Injury Attorney, I know that those conditions are a perfect storm for accidents. But no one, including Siegel & Coonerty, want you to get hurt on a Holiday. ‎And, believe me, you definitely don’t want to be in an Emergency Room on a Holiday – that is when the most Medical Malpractice occurs. So, the following are three brief tips/reminders to insure your Thanksgiving is as injury free as possible:

Let’s face it, car accidents happen. And they are going to continue to happen because we are not perfect. Negligence, lack of attention‎, and mistakes are a part of life.

Unfortunately, many car accidents result in physical and financial injury. That is why both new, and even experienced drivers, should be well schooled in the 7 initial steps to take immediately following a car accident:

1. Take a deep breath and don’t lose your cool – There is no sense in rushing out of the car, running around, and/or yelling. First of all, you may be hurt, and second, the police may be more interested in subduing you than hearing your side of it.

2. Get the other car(s) license plate number(s) – They might leave the scene. Everyone should have a pen in their car for just this situation.

3. Call the Police – Don’t try to just “work it out”. ‎ You do not know the other driver, and you have no reason to trust him/her. The Police can document everything about the cars, the drivers, and how the accident happened. Let them do the work.